Using Persuasive Techniques

The writing techniques both analysed and used in Unit 1 are also relevant to your Speaking and Listening assessments. Use them and they will add flair to your argument, making your speech more engaging and convincing through use of language. For speaking and listening, it is important to combine some of these techniques with body language and use of voice to gain maximum marks.

Below are some examples of how to combine language techniques with body language and use of voice:

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Types of techniques

Alliteration

Feisty, fiercely free-spirited Fiona is not your usual damsel in distress.

This technique works well with the spoken style of language. When talking, put emphasis on the sound you are repeating by changing your tone or volume. This enables you to sound more confident with talking. The repetition of sounds also creates rhythm for the phrase and will make the audience more engaged.

Rhetorical Questions

Who would want a car with chipped paint? Do you want a luxury car without the luxury price tag?

This is an excellent technique to use in presentations. Rhetorical questions engage the audience by getting their minds working to answer the question. In your presentation, you could pause after asking the question and catch the eyes of your audience before continuing.

Repetition

Restaurant will set your taste buds aquiver. This restaurant will have you asking for second. Restaurant Henri is the restaurant of the century.

Repetition aims to make the audience remember something specific by fixing it in their minds. Similar to alliteration, placing emphasis on the repeated word or phrase can also catch the attention of the audience.

Emotive Language

The dog barks helplessly, waiting for his owner to release him from the cruelly shortened lead. He waits patiently and trustingly for an owner who will never return.

By reading this language in a sad tone and putting particular emphasis on the emotive words, such as ‘helplessly’ and ‘cruelly’, you will draw out your listener’s sympathy for the dog.

Threes

Using rules of three with changes in tone and volume has the same effects as with alliteration and repetition. This is a good technique for supporting an argument with three examples or pieces of evidence and maintaining the audience’s interest throughout.

Personal pronouns

Are you familiar with our delicious cupcakes? They will have your taste buds tingling.

This language technique is ideal for speaking and listening assessments. It gives you the opportunity to engage the audience through eye contact when you say you or your.